“of their being” vs “of there being”
I am reading a BBC article on "Why pressing ‘upload’ means losing your rights". On page 2 of that article there is a paragraph that reads:
Meanwhile, legal thinking on digital rights is slowly catching up with the absurdity of their being almost no current recourse for loss, deletion or the whims of a service provider; but its pace is massively exceeded by the rate at which material is flowing online, into the hands of businesses whose profitability rests on owning and exploiting everything you give them.
My question is what is the difference between "of their being" and "of there being", and are both acceptable and when? Both have millions of results on Google. I know their is used for possession but I don't understand how that fits in here.
Thank you
grammar
asked Nov 23 '13 at 22:03
testtest
118114
add a comment |
I am reading a BBC article on "Why pressing ‘upload’ means losing your rights". On page 2 of that article there is a paragraph that reads:
Meanwhile, legal thinking on digital rights is slowly catching up with the absurdity of their being almost no current recourse for loss, deletion or the whims of a service provider; but its pace is massively exceeded by the rate at which material is flowing online, into the hands of businesses whose profitability rests on owning and exploiting everything you give them.
My question is what is the difference between "of their being" and "of there being", and are both acceptable and when? Both have millions of results on Google. I know their is used for possession but I don't understand how that fits in here.
Thank you
grammar
asked Nov 23 '13 at 22:03
testtest
118114
1
It's just sloppy editing. It happens frequently with there/their/they're and your/you're, even to the best of us. Homophones become hard to spot, especially by the author, because as you read it back to yourself, you don't hear a difference and often substitute the correct word for the incorrect one in your head without noticing. Of their being would reference someone's existence. There is the correct choice, which is why it didn't make sense to you.
– Giambattista
Nov 23 '13 at 22:25
add a comment |
I am reading a BBC article on "Why pressing ‘upload’ means losing your rights". On page 2 of that article there is a paragraph that reads:
Meanwhile, legal thinking on digital rights is slowly catching up with the absurdity of their being almost no current recourse for loss, deletion or the whims of a service provider; but its pace is massively exceeded by the rate at which material is flowing online, into the hands of businesses whose profitability rests on owning and exploiting everything you give them.
My question is what is the difference between "of their being" and "of there being", and are both acceptable and when? Both have millions of results on Google. I know their is used for possession but I don't understand how that fits in here.
Thank you
grammar
asked Nov 23 '13 at 22:03
testtest
118114
I am reading a BBC article on "Why pressing ‘upload’ means losing your rights". On page 2 of that article there is a paragraph that reads:
Meanwhile, legal thinking on digital rights is slowly catching up with the absurdity of their being almost no current recourse for loss, deletion or the whims of a service provider; but its pace is massively exceeded by the rate at which material is flowing online, into the hands of businesses whose profitability rests on owning and exploiting everything you give them.
My question is what is the difference between "of their being" and "of there being", and are both acceptable and when? Both have millions of results on Google. I know their is used for possession but I don't understand how that fits in here.
Thank you
grammar
grammar
asked Nov 23 '13 at 22:03
testtest
118114
asked Nov 23 '13 at 22:03
testtest
118114
asked Nov 23 '13 at 22:03
testtest
118114
asked Nov 23 '13 at 22:03
testtest
118114
asked Nov 23 '13 at 22:03
testtest
118114
118114
1
It's just sloppy editing. It happens frequently with there/their/they're and your/you're, even to the best of us. Homophones become hard to spot, especially by the author, because as you read it back to yourself, you don't hear a difference and often substitute the correct word for the incorrect one in your head without noticing. Of their being would reference someone's existence. There is the correct choice, which is why it didn't make sense to you.
– Giambattista
Nov 23 '13 at 22:25
add a comment |
1
It's just sloppy editing. It happens frequently with there/their/they're and your/you're, even to the best of us. Homophones become hard to spot, especially by the author, because as you read it back to yourself, you don't hear a difference and often substitute the correct word for the incorrect one in your head without noticing. Of their being would reference someone's existence. There is the correct choice, which is why it didn't make sense to you.
– Giambattista
Nov 23 '13 at 22:25
1
1
It's just sloppy editing. It happens frequently with there/their/they're and your/you're, even to the best of us. Homophones become hard to spot, especially by the author, because as you read it back to yourself, you don't hear a difference and often substitute the correct word for the incorrect one in your head without noticing. Of their being would reference someone's existence. There is the correct choice, which is why it didn't make sense to you.
– Giambattista
Nov 23 '13 at 22:25
It's just sloppy editing. It happens frequently with there/their/they're and your/you're, even to the best of us. Homophones become hard to spot, especially by the author, because as you read it back to yourself, you don't hear a difference and often substitute the correct word for the incorrect one in your head without noticing. Of their being would reference someone's existence. There is the correct choice, which is why it didn't make sense to you.
– Giambattista
Nov 23 '13 at 22:25
add a comment |
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
It should definitely be "of there being" in the referenced paragraph.
Let us illustrate by providing possible alternative wordings:
- A consequence of their being is ...
- A consequence of their being available is ...
- A consequence of there being a solution is ...
These can be rephrased as:
- A consequence of their existence is ...
- A consequence of their availability is ...
- A consequence of the existence of a solution is ...
So what is going on?
"Their being", and "their being [adjective]" refer to the existence, respectively the property expressed by the adjective, of the subject referenced by "their".
"There being", on the other hand, indicates a general state of affairs.
I hope that clarifies the matter for you.
answered Nov 23 '13 at 22:14
Lord_FarinLord_Farin
1663
add a comment |
"... what is the difference between "of their being" and "of there being"..."
"Their being" relates to the question, "Whose being?"
"There being" introduces an explanation of something. This is what the hurried BBC writer meant. You could replace his "of their being" with "of the fact that".
This headline popped up on a Google search: "There is not much hope of their being alive".
answered Nov 24 '13 at 4:14
ZZMikeZZMike
1,18755
add a comment |
That isn't poor editing but is in fact "correct." A gerund is preceded by a possessive adjective. It's clearer to see with "my" for instance.
"My being there surprised everyone." which has the possessive adjective "my" before the gerund "being."
This is "correct" as opposed to the frequently heard:
"Me being there surprised everyone." which has an object pronoun "me."
In the case of "there is," when a gerund follows, "there," not being a possessive adjective, is replaced by the possessive adjective which corresponds to "there;" namely, "their." This isn't terribly obvious to people since this really is the sole instance in which a possessive form of "there" is required, and its homophony with "there" sets up an easy reanalysis, in which people think it's actually "there being."
answered 18 mins ago
user338477user338477
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3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
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active
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active
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It should definitely be "of there being" in the referenced paragraph.
Let us illustrate by providing possible alternative wordings:
- A consequence of their being is ...
- A consequence of their being available is ...
- A consequence of there being a solution is ...
These can be rephrased as:
- A consequence of their existence is ...
- A consequence of their availability is ...
- A consequence of the existence of a solution is ...
So what is going on?
"Their being", and "their being [adjective]" refer to the existence, respectively the property expressed by the adjective, of the subject referenced by "their".
"There being", on the other hand, indicates a general state of affairs.
I hope that clarifies the matter for you.
answered Nov 23 '13 at 22:14
Lord_FarinLord_Farin
1663
add a comment |
It should definitely be "of there being" in the referenced paragraph.
Let us illustrate by providing possible alternative wordings:
- A consequence of their being is ...
- A consequence of their being available is ...
- A consequence of there being a solution is ...
These can be rephrased as:
- A consequence of their existence is ...
- A consequence of their availability is ...
- A consequence of the existence of a solution is ...
So what is going on?
"Their being", and "their being [adjective]" refer to the existence, respectively the property expressed by the adjective, of the subject referenced by "their".
"There being", on the other hand, indicates a general state of affairs.
I hope that clarifies the matter for you.
answered Nov 23 '13 at 22:14
Lord_FarinLord_Farin
1663
add a comment |
It should definitely be "of there being" in the referenced paragraph.
Let us illustrate by providing possible alternative wordings:
- A consequence of their being is ...
- A consequence of their being available is ...
- A consequence of there being a solution is ...
These can be rephrased as:
- A consequence of their existence is ...
- A consequence of their availability is ...
- A consequence of the existence of a solution is ...
So what is going on?
"Their being", and "their being [adjective]" refer to the existence, respectively the property expressed by the adjective, of the subject referenced by "their".
"There being", on the other hand, indicates a general state of affairs.
I hope that clarifies the matter for you.
answered Nov 23 '13 at 22:14
Lord_FarinLord_Farin
1663
It should definitely be "of there being" in the referenced paragraph.
Let us illustrate by providing possible alternative wordings:
- A consequence of their being is ...
- A consequence of their being available is ...
- A consequence of there being a solution is ...
These can be rephrased as:
- A consequence of their existence is ...
- A consequence of their availability is ...
- A consequence of the existence of a solution is ...
So what is going on?
"Their being", and "their being [adjective]" refer to the existence, respectively the property expressed by the adjective, of the subject referenced by "their".
"There being", on the other hand, indicates a general state of affairs.
I hope that clarifies the matter for you.
answered Nov 23 '13 at 22:14
Lord_FarinLord_Farin
1663
answered Nov 23 '13 at 22:14
Lord_FarinLord_Farin
1663
answered Nov 23 '13 at 22:14
Lord_FarinLord_Farin
1663
answered Nov 23 '13 at 22:14
Lord_FarinLord_Farin
1663
1663
add a comment |
add a comment |
"... what is the difference between "of their being" and "of there being"..."
"Their being" relates to the question, "Whose being?"
"There being" introduces an explanation of something. This is what the hurried BBC writer meant. You could replace his "of their being" with "of the fact that".
This headline popped up on a Google search: "There is not much hope of their being alive".
answered Nov 24 '13 at 4:14
ZZMikeZZMike
1,18755
add a comment |
"... what is the difference between "of their being" and "of there being"..."
"Their being" relates to the question, "Whose being?"
"There being" introduces an explanation of something. This is what the hurried BBC writer meant. You could replace his "of their being" with "of the fact that".
This headline popped up on a Google search: "There is not much hope of their being alive".
answered Nov 24 '13 at 4:14
ZZMikeZZMike
1,18755
add a comment |
"... what is the difference between "of their being" and "of there being"..."
"Their being" relates to the question, "Whose being?"
"There being" introduces an explanation of something. This is what the hurried BBC writer meant. You could replace his "of their being" with "of the fact that".
This headline popped up on a Google search: "There is not much hope of their being alive".
answered Nov 24 '13 at 4:14
ZZMikeZZMike
1,18755
"... what is the difference between "of their being" and "of there being"..."
"Their being" relates to the question, "Whose being?"
"There being" introduces an explanation of something. This is what the hurried BBC writer meant. You could replace his "of their being" with "of the fact that".
This headline popped up on a Google search: "There is not much hope of their being alive".
answered Nov 24 '13 at 4:14
ZZMikeZZMike
1,18755
answered Nov 24 '13 at 4:14
ZZMikeZZMike
1,18755
answered Nov 24 '13 at 4:14
ZZMikeZZMike
1,18755
answered Nov 24 '13 at 4:14
ZZMikeZZMike
1,18755
1,18755
add a comment |
add a comment |
That isn't poor editing but is in fact "correct." A gerund is preceded by a possessive adjective. It's clearer to see with "my" for instance.
"My being there surprised everyone." which has the possessive adjective "my" before the gerund "being."
This is "correct" as opposed to the frequently heard:
"Me being there surprised everyone." which has an object pronoun "me."
In the case of "there is," when a gerund follows, "there," not being a possessive adjective, is replaced by the possessive adjective which corresponds to "there;" namely, "their." This isn't terribly obvious to people since this really is the sole instance in which a possessive form of "there" is required, and its homophony with "there" sets up an easy reanalysis, in which people think it's actually "there being."
answered 18 mins ago
user338477user338477
1
New contributor
user338477 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
That isn't poor editing but is in fact "correct." A gerund is preceded by a possessive adjective. It's clearer to see with "my" for instance.
"My being there surprised everyone." which has the possessive adjective "my" before the gerund "being."
This is "correct" as opposed to the frequently heard:
"Me being there surprised everyone." which has an object pronoun "me."
In the case of "there is," when a gerund follows, "there," not being a possessive adjective, is replaced by the possessive adjective which corresponds to "there;" namely, "their." This isn't terribly obvious to people since this really is the sole instance in which a possessive form of "there" is required, and its homophony with "there" sets up an easy reanalysis, in which people think it's actually "there being."
answered 18 mins ago
user338477user338477
1
New contributor
user338477 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
That isn't poor editing but is in fact "correct." A gerund is preceded by a possessive adjective. It's clearer to see with "my" for instance.
"My being there surprised everyone." which has the possessive adjective "my" before the gerund "being."
This is "correct" as opposed to the frequently heard:
"Me being there surprised everyone." which has an object pronoun "me."
In the case of "there is," when a gerund follows, "there," not being a possessive adjective, is replaced by the possessive adjective which corresponds to "there;" namely, "their." This isn't terribly obvious to people since this really is the sole instance in which a possessive form of "there" is required, and its homophony with "there" sets up an easy reanalysis, in which people think it's actually "there being."
answered 18 mins ago
user338477user338477
1
New contributor
user338477 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
That isn't poor editing but is in fact "correct." A gerund is preceded by a possessive adjective. It's clearer to see with "my" for instance.
"My being there surprised everyone." which has the possessive adjective "my" before the gerund "being."
This is "correct" as opposed to the frequently heard:
"Me being there surprised everyone." which has an object pronoun "me."
In the case of "there is," when a gerund follows, "there," not being a possessive adjective, is replaced by the possessive adjective which corresponds to "there;" namely, "their." This isn't terribly obvious to people since this really is the sole instance in which a possessive form of "there" is required, and its homophony with "there" sets up an easy reanalysis, in which people think it's actually "there being."
answered 18 mins ago
user338477user338477
1
New contributor
user338477 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 18 mins ago
user338477user338477
1
New contributor
user338477 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 18 mins ago
user338477user338477
1
answered 18 mins ago
user338477user338477
1
1
New contributor
user338477 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
user338477 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
user338477 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
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It's just sloppy editing. It happens frequently with there/their/they're and your/you're, even to the best of us. Homophones become hard to spot, especially by the author, because as you read it back to yourself, you don't hear a difference and often substitute the correct word for the incorrect one in your head without noticing. Of their being would reference someone's existence. There is the correct choice, which is why it didn't make sense to you.
– Giambattista
Nov 23 '13 at 22:25